The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-03-24
THE CITY OF THE SULTAN,
win 1t Ultimately Come Under the Rule
of Russia?

In certain very limited number of
years from the present time-it may
be two or it may be twenty-Constanti-
nople will have changed hands, and the
hands into which it will have fallen
will not be those of England. As to
the change, there can, humanity speak
ing, be no doubt whatever. Two GEN.
turies ago the backward movement of
the Turks began. Things moved slow
ly then, they move quickly now; but
not for single day has thFe been
check in the movement. Hungary,
Servia, Roumania, and last, but by no
means least. Bulgaria. have each in
their turn been relieved from the pres
ence of the Turk Even now little
more than Roumelia remains of the
European province of Turkey. The
last chapter has not yet come, but it
has very nearly come. The teaching
Of history is uniform and conclusive,
but it is not required to prove that the
great city on the Bosphorus can not
much longer remain in the hands of
the Ottomans. To see COnstantinople
and to see the Turks there is enough.
L
the central point of modern Europe is
inconceivable, incredible. As to who
will be the successors of the sultan,
that must always be question of deep
interest for England. Whether it is a
question which is worth fighting about
is an entirely different matter. At
present Russia and Austria are racing
for the goal. The forthcoming COM
pletion of the Bulgarian section of the
railway to Constantinople, the annexa.
tiOn of Bosnia and herzegovina, and
the commencement of new line of
railway under Hungarian control, Civ
ing second communication further to
the west, are all points which seem to
favor Austria at the present moment.
On the other hand, the divided nation
ality of the Austrian army, the unpro-
tected nature of the northern and north
eastern frontier of Hungary. combine
with many other circumstances to
fortify the position of Russia. This is
not the place to go into discussion of
the probabilities of Russo-Austrian
campaign or the enumeration of the
strategic advantages of either power
might be prolonged and would form a
most interesting study. But one great
fact remains clear above all details
namely, that if ever the unaccomplish-
ed can he foreseen and the unknown
deduced from the known an early con-
tiict between Russia and Austria is
among the most absolute certainties of
the European situation. As to the re-
suit, it is of course idle to prophesy,
though there can be hardly any doubt
that English sympathies would lie and
ought to lie ON the side of the kaiser
as against the czar.
But to whichever side the victory for
the time being may incline, the main
spring of action on the part of one,
at any rate, of the combatants must
remain absolutely intact. 1t is well
that English people should realize
fully what is the strength of the idea
which is behind the descent of Russia
to the sea. Looked at from the out
side and without prejudice, the situa-
ton is very striking one; the forces
at work are enormous. A nation of
one hundred millions is shut up against
the north pole with no outlets save the
Arctic sea and the shallow and often
frozen waters of the Baltic. To all in
tents and purposes this vast nation is
one people, Russian can be under
stood from Arehangel to Odessa. That
the irresistible pressure of hundred
million people, speaking one language
and moved by one idea, will break a
way to the sea firmly believe. There
are two points at which the sea may be
reached: the one is Salonica, the other
is Bassorah. Granting that one of
these two points for the moment will
ultimately be reached, there can hard
~ he any doubt as te which caa BE- es